Vineland H.S. All-Sports Booster Club's Hall of Fame inducts five new members

Vineland took home the Daily Journal Victory Cup for the second year in a row after taking down rival Millville 28-18 at John Barbose Stadium on Thursday, November 23.
Video produced by Justin Odendhal

The Vineland High School All-Sports Booster Club inducted five new members for its Hall of Fame on Nov. 21. From left to right are: Ed Gabriel, Beverly Bonasto (representing Posthumous Inductee Ron Matalucci), Bruce Hofstetter, Kristina Brenner Kulik, and Matt Mufalli.(Photo: Submitted photo/VHS All-Sports Booster Club)

Those nominated for the aware must have met the following criteria established by the Booster Club: graduated from Vineland High School at least 10 years ago; participated and excelled in athletics; contributed to the community in some way and exhibits reputable character.

Prior to the banquet, the inductees had their plaques unveiled on the Wall of Fame in VHS South. The Wall of Fame consists of 100 athletes since the program started in 1988.

The Class of 2017 inductees:

Bruce “Toe” Hofstetter

The 1968 graduate was a standout in football and track and field for the Fighting Clan. He was a member of the 1965 and 1966 squads which went unbeaten en route to Group 4 sectional, conference and county titles in both seasons. He earned second-team All-Conference honors after kicking 14 extra points. As a senior, he set program records for longest field goal (26), most field goals in a season (2) and career (2). He was also a first-team selection as a county all-star at tackle and a high school All-American selection by WOND Radio. In track and field, he won the sectional and county titles in the shot put in 1967 and was a member of the three-time undefeated sectional and county title-winning teams. Hofstetter was a weightlifting champion at the Glassboro State Indoor Games in 1968. Hofstetter signed a pro contract with the Dallas Cowboys before playing in the Western Football League where he set league records for longest field goal (52 yards) and longest average field goal (42.6).

Ed Gabriel

The 1963 graduate earned nine varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball and track. He was a NJSIAA All-South Jersey first-team selection, an Associated Press All-State selection and was co-captain for the Fighting Clan as a senior. Gabriel earned the James Parkinson Award for VHS Most Outstanding Athlete as well as Cumberland and Atlantic counties VFW Outstanding Athlete Award winner. He was a two-time captain of the basketball team and a four-year letter win in track. As a senior, he was the track team’s top point producer, competing in the shot, discus and javelin. He was also President of the Monogram Club and National Athletic Honor Society. Gabriel went on to play football at Penn State University for four seasons, including his senior year under first-year coach Joe Paterno.

Kristina Brenner-Kulik

The 2005 graduate was a standout in softball and soccer. She was a member of three Cape-Atlantic League American Conference title-winning teams in softball. She is the softball program’s record holder in career hits (150) career stolen bases (165) and stolen bases in a season (38). She batted .468, .452 and .473 over her final three seasons and was the Daily Journal Player of the Year and All-South Jersey selection as a senior. She went on to play at Rowan University where she played in 172 games, compiling a .333 batting average with 159 hits and 108 runs scored. She was also a ball girl for the Philadelphia Phillies from 2009-2011.

Matt Mufalli

The 1999 graduate made waves for Vineland High School in the pool. When he graduated, Mufalli held pool records in the backstroke, butterfly, medley relay, 200 free and 400 free relays. He helped the Fighting Clan win four Cape-Atlantic League titles during his career. As a senior, he was part of the Meet of Champions 200 medley relay title-winning quartet. He was also a Meet of Champions runner-up in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke en route to an All-South Jersey selection. As a junior, Mufalli captured silver medals at the Meet of Champions in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke. For his career, he was a 12-time Cape-Atlantic League All-Star selection. He later swam two years at the University of Pennsylvania.

Ronald Matalucci

The 1961 graduate was a three-sport star in football, basketball and track. He was a member of the Group 4 sectional championship and conference title winning team in 1959. The following year, he quarterbacked the Fighting Clan to the Group 4 title and was a member of the NJSIAA all-state team. On the track, Matalucci set a state record in the 100-yard dash (10.1) and a 100-yard USA record (9.9, wind-assisted) and helped the Fighting Clan to the Group 4 title.